Film support and transport apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for supporting an elongated web of film transparency material in a reel-to-reel arrangement at a projection station in a film viewing device. Film material is selectively transported from one reel to the other past the projection station by both a manual and a powered drive arrangement. The film material is supported for selective positioning at the projection station in a direction transverse to the direction of film travel without interrupting the drive arrangement.

Umted States Patent [151 3,640,614

Cassano et al. 1 Feb. 8, 1972 [54] FILM SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT 2,381,9978/1945 Bolsey ..352/104 APPARATUS 3,480,358 11/1969 Brownscombe .353/26[72] Inventors: James R. Cassano, Penfield; Charles E. Primary E ir-Leonard Forman Smith, Webster; Robert E. Kalvitis, Fair- AssistantExaminer-A. .l. Mirabito port, all of N.Y. Attorney-James J. Ralabate[73] Assignee: Xerox Corporation, Rochester, NY. [57] ABSTRACT [22] led:June 1969 Apparatus for supporting an elongated web of film trans- 211App] 829,401 parency material in a reel-to-reel arrangement at aprojection station in a film viewing device. Film material isselectively transported from one reel to the other past the projectionstal tion by both a manual and a powered drive arrangement. The

[ film material is supported for selective positioning at the pro- [58]jection station in a direction transverse to the direction of filmtravel without interrupting the drive arrangement.

[56] References Cited 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures UNITED STATES PATENTSRe. 22,517 7/1944 Hopkins ..353/26 PAIENTEDFEB 81972. 3,540,514

saw 1 [IF 4 FIG. I

INVENTORS JAMES R. CASSANO CHARLES E.SMITH BY ROBERT E. 2ALVIT|SATTORNEY PAIENTEDFEB 8 I972 SHEET 2 OF 4 FILM SUPPORT AND TRANSPORTAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generallyto film-viewing apparatus and more particularly to an arrangement fortransporting an elongated web of film transparency material past aprojection station in a film-viewing device.

In the past, numerous arrangements have been proposed in which filmmaterial in the form of an elongated web is wound from a supply reelonto a takeup reel. When used in conjunction with film-viewing apparatusmany of these prior arrangements have assumed unwieldly proportions bybeing unduly complex in both design and operation. In such arrangements,little consideration has been given toward simplifying the operatorfunction or to a reduction in complexity, yet maintaining a high degreeof reliability in operation. In addition, such prior film viewingdevices have failed to provide for the input of film transparencymaterials in a form other than that of an elongated web material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved arrangement by which film material maybe supported at a projection station in a film-viewing device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedarrangement by which film material in the form of an elongated web maybe transported from a supply reel past a projection station to a takeupreel in a film-viewing device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved drive mechanism for feed and takeup reels for a film transportsystem in a filmviewing device.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved arrangement by which film material in the form of an elongatedweb may be transported from a supply reel past a projection station to atakeup reel in a film-viewing device through both manual and poweroperated drive systems.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide animproved arrangement by which film material in the form of an elongatedweb is supported at a projection station in a filmviewing device forselective viewing of individual film frames as the film material isadvanced from a supply reel at one side of the projection station to atakeup reel at the other side of the projection station and whichfacilitates selective positioning of the film material within theoptical projection path in the transverse direction relative to thedirection of film travel without interrupting the drive of the filmmaterial from one reel to the other.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide animproved reel to reel film transport arrangement for use in afilm-viewing device in which the reel to reel film support member may bereadily removed from the viewing device without interfering with theoptical projection system and the film drive mechanism to accept filmmaterials in a form other than an elongated web.

These and other objects of the present invention are attained by meansof a first support member extending in a plane generally normal to theoptical path of the projection system in a film-viewing device, firstand second drive members journaled for rotation on the first supportmember, the first and second drive members being spaced on either sideof the optical projection system in the direction of film travel, drivemeans operatively engageable with the first and second drive members forselectively driving the drive members in first and second directions ofrotation, a second support member extending in a plane generallyparallel to the plane of the first support member, the second supportmember being slidably mounted on the first support member and movable ina direction generally transverse to the direction of film travel, thirdand fourth drive members journaled for rotation on the second supportmember, the third and fourth drive members being spaced on either sideof the optical projection system in the direction of film travel to beengaged by the first and second drive members and be respectively driventhereby, first and second spindle shafts operatively supported from thesecond support member and adapted to respectively receive a supply reelof film and a takeup reel onto which film is to be wound, meansoperatively connecting the first and second spindle shafts with therespective third and fourth drive members on the second support memberto drive the spindle shafts when the drive members are driven, and firstand second guide roller means spaced on either side of the opticalprojection means between the third and fourth drive members for supporting a length of film passing from a supply reel on one of thespindle shafts to the takeup reel on the other of the spindle shafts ina plane substantially normal to the optical path of the projectionsystem.

Other objects of the invention will become readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art in view of the following detailed disclosure anddescription thereof, especially when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of afilm-viewing device in which the arrangement according to the presentinvention is particularly adapted for use.

FIG. 2 is a right-hand side elevation showing the film-advancingapparatus of FIG. I partly broken away.

FIG. 3 is a partly broken away sectional view of the film-advancingapparatus as contemplated by the present invention taken along the lines3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view partly broken away showing a portion ofthe drivetrain of the film advancing apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 of thedrawings, there is illustrated a film-viewing apparatus in which thearrangement according to the present invention is particularly adaptedfor use. As illustrated therein, an elongated web of film transparencymaterial is supported on a supply reel 18 and transported past aprojection station located beneath lamp housing 17 to takeup reel 19.

The film-viewing device as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a brightnesscontrol 2 by which the intensity of a projection lamp LMP-l locatedwithin lamp housing 17 may be operatively controlled. Below brightnesscontrol 2 is located a film format control 3 the function of which is toselectively change the orientation of the projected image which appearson viewing screen 16 by changing the direction of mirror 13 via leverarm 67, pin 68 and lever arm 69. Successively adjacent film formatcontrol 3 is located focus control 4 which operatively controls thepositioning of objective lens assembly 12 by means of drive pulleys 71,73 and 74, and drive chain 72. Located successively adjacent focuscontrol 4 is film transport control 5 which may be selectivelypositioned to operatively control the drive of supply reel 18 and takeupreel 19 in selected directions of rotation. A manually operated filmadvance knob 6 is positioned at the right-hand portion of housing 1 toalso permit the manual advancing of supply reel 18 and takeup reel 19.

As may be seen from FIG. 3, images on film transparency 21 at theprojection station are illuminated by means of a projection lamp LMP-llocated within lamp housing 17 which when energized emits radiationwhich is directed generally downwardly by means of reflector 20. Acondensing lens assembly ll collects and focuses illumination fromprojection lamp LMP-l onto the selected film frame on film material 21.An objective lens assembly 12 located beneath the film material 21 atthe projection station projects the illuminated image of selected filmframes generally downwardly in the op tical projection path which issubstantially normal to the plane of film material 21. A reflectingmember 13 having a highly specular reflective surface thereon isoperatively disposed along the optical projection path beneath objectivelens assembly 12 to intercept and reflect the projected images ofindividual film frames according to a first format as selected by filmformat control 3 onto reflecting member 14 and then onto a thirdreflecting member (not shown) located within the housing of the viewingapparatus which images are then reflected onto viewing screen 16.

A portion of the drive mechanism of the film transport assembly ascontemplated by the present invention is supported inwardly of thehousing 1 of the viewing apparatus. As may be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4,gear members 49 and 50 are sup ported inwardly of housing 1 on oppositesides of the optical projection system by means of support brackets 51and 52, respectively. Gear members 49 and 50 are rotatably joumaled insupport brackets 51 and 52 to rotate about axes which extend generallytransverse to the direction of film travel. A pair of beveled drivemembers 47 and 48 are operatively connected to gear members 49 and 50respectively, to rotate gear members 49 and 50 about the respective axesof rotation. A drive shaft 42 is supported inwardly of housing 1 and isjournaled for rotation about an axis extending generally parallel to thedirection of film travel. A second pair of beveled drive members 43 and44 are operatively supported on drive shaft 42 to respectively engagebeveled drive members 47 and 48. Beveled drive members 43 and 44 areconnected to rotate with drive shaft 42 by means of drive pins 45 and 46fixed to shaft 42 and which project radially therefrom into slots formedin the hubs of beveled drive members 43 and 44. It will be noted, as maybe observed from FIG. 3, the respective slots in beveled drive members43 and 44 are inclined from the axis of shaft 42 at an angle ofapproximately 30 in opposite directions from each other for a purposewhich will hereinafter become more readily apparent.

A second drive shaft 56 is rotatably joumaled in frame plates 75 and 76below drive shaft 42 and positioned substantially parallel therewith.One end of drive shaft 56 projects through the side of housing 1 towhich is connected manually operated film advance knob 6. An endlessflexible drive member such as drive belt 55 is entrained about pulleymember 53 which is suitably connected to one end of drive shaft 42 andpulley member 54 which is suitably connected to drive shaft 56. Thusbelt member 55 operatively connects drive shaft 56 with drive shaft 42to produce a rotation of drive shaft 42 when drive shaft 56 is rotated.

An induction motor MOT-l connected to motor support bracket 65 ispivotally supported on frame plate 76 by means of pivot pin 66. Theoutput of motor MOT-l is operatively connected to rotate beveled drivemember 59 in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 by means of aspur gear operatively connected to bevel drive member 59 and a spur gear60 connected to the output shaft of MOT-1 which meshes with spur gear61.

Motor MOT] and bevel drive member 59 are selectively pivoted about pivotpin 68 by means of lever arm 62 which is operatively connected to filmtransport control knob 5. Lever arm 62 is connected to motor MOT-l bymeans of pin 63 connected to a bracket 64 attached to motor MOTI the pin63 being received by a slot located in lever arm 62. As may be seen fromFIG. 4, as film transport control knob is rotated in the clockwisedirection, motor MOT-l and bevel drive member 59 will be pivoted aboutpivot pin 66 in the counterclockwise direction. In a similar manner, asfilm transport control knob 5 is rotated in the counterclockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 4, motor MOTl and bevel drive member 59 willbe pivoted in the clockwise direction about pivot pin 66. Motor MOT-lmay be programmed for continuous energization or a switch may beprovided which suitably energizes motor MOT-l via control knob 5.

A pair of beveled drive members 57 and 58 are operatively supported ondrive shaft 56 in spaced relationship to each other to be engaged bybeveled drive member 59 as motor MOT1 is selectively positioned by meansof film transport control knob 5. In the preferred arrangement, beveleddrive members 57 and 58 comprise a beveled frictional resistive surfacewhich is freely rotatably with respect to drive shaft 56.

The hubs of beveled drive members 57 and 58in the preferred arrangementare connected to drive shaft 56 by means of set screws or other suitablefastening means. Drive between the respective hubs and the frictionsurfaces of drive members 57 and S8 is obtained by means of a series offriction discs sup ported between the beveled surfaces of drive members57 and 58 and the respective hub members. Thus as tension is exertedagainst drive members 57 and 58 in the axial direction along shaft 56 bymeans of engagement with beveled drive member 59, the beveled surfacesof drive members 57 and 58 will be held in engagement with therespective hub members via the friction discs to cause shaft 56 to berotated thereby.

From this arrangement it should be apparent that as film transportcontrol knob 5 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG.4, motor MOT-l and beveled drive member 59 will be pivoted about pivotpin 66 until beveled drive member 59 engages beveled drive member 57. Asbeveled drive member 59 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewedin FIG. 3 by means of the gear reduction drive arrangement, drive shaft56 will be driven in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2. Asdrive shaft 56 is driven in the clockwise direction, drive shaft 42 willsimilarly be driven in the clockwise direction by means of the flexiblebelt member 55 and pulleys 54 and 53. It should also be apparent thatdrive shaft 42 may be driven in selected directions of rotation by meansof the manually operated film advance knob 6 attached to drive shaft 56.

As drive shaft 42 is driven in the clockwise direction as viewed in FIG.2, pin 45 which connects beveled drive member 43 to drive shaft 42 camsbeveled drive member 43 in the axial direction along the shaft 42 to theleft as viewed in FIG. 3. As beveled drive member 43 is thus axiallydisplaced. beveled drive member 43 is held out of engagement withbeveled drive member 47 operatively connected to gear member 49. Withthe clockwise rotation of shaft 42, pin 46 which connects beveled drivemember 44 to drive shaft 42 cams beveled drive member 44 axially alongshaft 42 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 thus engaging the beveledsurface of drive member 44 with the beveled surface of drive member 48on gear member 50. As drive shaft 42 continues to be rotated in theclockwise direction, beveled drive member 44 will be held in engagementwith beveled drive member 48 to cause a rotation of gear member 50 inthe clockwise direction about the axis of rotation as viewed in FIG. 3.

When drive shaft 42 is driven in the counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 2, beveled drive member 44 will be displaced axiallyalong shaft 42 to the left as viewed in FIG. 3 by means of the pin 46acting against the slot in beveled drive member 44. Thus, as shaft 42 isrotated in the counterclockwise direction beveled drive member 44 willbe supported out of engagement with beveled drive member 48. With driveshaft 42 rotating in the counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2,beveled drive member 43 will be displaced axially along shaft 42 to theright as viewed in FIG. 3 by means of the pin 45 acting against the slotof beveled drive member 43. Thus as beveled drive member 43 is displacedto the right as viewed in FIG. 3, beveled drive member 43 will besupported in engagement with beveled drive member 47 connected to gearmember 49 to thus drive gear member 49 in the counterclockwise directionas viewed in FIG. 3.

The film material 21 which is to be transported from a supply reel 18 toa takeup reel 19 is supported on the viewing apparatus by means of afilm support member 22. Film support member 22 is slidably positioned onthe housing 1 of the viewer apparatus to be selectively positionedrelative to the optical projection path in the direction generallytransverse to the direction of film travel. Film support member 22includes at one lateral edge thereof a tang 25 which mates with acorresponding groove 26 formed in the viewer housing 1. At the otherlateral edge thereof a second similar tang 27 mates with a groove 28formed in viewer housing 1. This arrangement therefore permits aslidable positioning of support member 22 relative to the optical pathin the transverse direction relative to the direction of film travel.Film support member 22 centrally thereof includes a flat portion whichlies in a plane substantially normal to the optical projection path. Anaperture located in film support member 22 is suitably positioned topermit light from projection lamp LMP-l to pass through condensing lensassembly 11 onto the film transparency material 21 which illuminatedimages then may be projected along the optical path by means ofobjective lens assembly 12.

A pair of spindle housings 23 and 24 are connected to film supportmember 22 on opposite sides of the optical projection path. A pair ofspindle shafts 29 and 30 are joumaled for rotation in spindle housings24 and 23, respectively, through bearing plates 34 and 38. Spindleshafts 29 and 30 extend through the front portions of spindle housings24 and 23 respectively, to receive a supply reel 18 having a quantity offilm material 21 thereon and a takeup reel 19 onto which the filmmaterial 21 is to be wound. A pair of gear members 32 and 36 arejournaled for rotation within spindle housings 23 and 24, respectively,on shafts 77 and 78 supported in bearing plates 38 and 34 respectively.Gear members 32 and 36 extend through suitably arranged openings in filmsupport member 22 to engage and mesh with gear members 49 and 50respectively. A pair of pulley members 31 and are connected to spindleshafts 30 and 29 respectively. A pair of pulley members 79 and 80 areconnected to gear members 32 and 36 respectively on shafts 77 and 78.Endless flexible drive members 33 and 37 are respectively entrainedabout pulley members 31, 80, 35 and 79, respectively, to rotate spindleshafts 29 and 30 when the respectively associated gear members 32 and 36are rotated.

Film material 21 passing from supply reel 18 passes between lamp housing17 and film support member 22 over a first roller member 39 connected tolamp housing 17, then through the optical projection path and past asecond rotatable roller member connected to lamp housing 17 spaced onthe opposite side of the projection path in the direction of film travelfrom roller member 39. From roller member 40, the film material 21passes to takeup reel 19 to which the film material is to be wound. Fromthis arrangement it will be apparent that as gear member is rotated inthe clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 3, gear member 36 will berotated in the counterclockwise direction, with spindle shaft 29 beingrotated in the counterclockwise direction via belt member 37 thusrotating takeup reel 19 in the counterclockwise direction to wind filmmaterial 21 from supply reel 18 onto takeup reel 19.

In a similar manner, as gear member 49 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3, gear member 32 will berotated in the clockwise direction with spindle shaft 30 being rotatedin the clockwise direction via belt member 33 thus rotating supply reel19 in the clockwise direction to wind film material 21 from takeup reel19 onto supply reel 18. From this arrangement, film material 21 may beadvanced past the projection station from supply reel 18 onto takeupreel 19 and then reversed by winding the film material from takeup reel19 back onto supply reel 18.

Lamp housing 17 with roller members 39 and 40 rotatably connectedthereto is pivotally supported on the viewer housing 1 by means of pivotpin 41 as may be seen from FIG. 2. Thus in placing film material on theviewing apparatus, lamp housing 17 is pivoted to an upright position anda supply reel 18 having film material 21 thereon is inserted onto thespindle shaft 30 and the web of film material is threaded onto takeupreel 19. With the film material 21 extending across the opticalprojection path, the lamp housing 17 may be pivoted about pivot pin 41to the lowered position as shown in FIG. 2 with roller members 39 and 40engaging the web material 21 extending between supply reel 18 and takeupreel 19 and supporting the web of film material 21 in a plane generallynormal to the optical projection path.

It will be appreciated that as a result of the slidable arrangementbetween film support member 22 and viewer housing 1, the film materialsupported across the optical projection path may be selectivelypositioned within the optical projection path in a direction transverseto the direction of film travel. As film support member 22 is thuspositioned relative to the viewer housing 1, gear members 32 and 36 arefree to move along the axial length of gear members 49 and 50respectively, without interrupting the drive connection to supply reel18 and takeup reel 19. From this arrangement it will therefore beappreciated that the film transport apparatus as contemplated by thepresent invention provides a highly versatile arrangement fortransporting a quantity of film material past an optical projectionstation and permits the selective positioning of individual film framesin relation to the optical projection path without interrupting thedrive imparted to the film material 21. This therefore permitsadjustments in the location of the images on viewing screen 16 withoutinterrupting the film drive.

As a further feature of the film transport mechanism as contemplated bythe present invention it will be appreciated that the film supportmember 22 may be removed from the viewer housing 1 by means of slidingthe film support member 22 out of the grooves 26 and 28 at the front ofthe viewer housing 1. Thus with the film support member 22 removed fromthe machine it is possible to utilize film materials in a form otherthan an elongated web. That is, by removing film support member 22 fromthe machine, film transparency materials in the form of aperture cards,microfiche, etc., may be supported at the projection station withoutinterference from a reel to reel transport mechanism.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredarrangement, it will be generally understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for transporting an elongated web of film transparencymaterial past a projection station in a film-viewing device comprising,

first and second gear members spaced from each other on opposite sidesof said projection station adapted for rotation about axes extendinggenerally transverse to the direction of film travel,

a drive shaft joumaled for rotation about an axis extending generallyparallel to the direction of film travel,

first and second drive members respectively associated with said firstand second gear members for rotating said gear members about therespective axes thereof,

third and fourth drive members supported on said drive shaft andrespectively engageable with said first and said second drive membersfor driving said first gear member in a first direction of rotation andsaid second gear member in a second direction of rotation,

drive means operatively associated with said drive shaft for selectivelyrotating said shaft in first and second directions of rotation,

means respectively associated with said drive shaft and said third andfourth drive members for engaging said third drive member with saidfirst drive member when said shaft is rotated in a first direction andfor engaging said fourth drive member with said second drive member whensaid shaft is rotated in a second direction,

a film support member having an opening therein in communication withsaid projection station, first and second spindle shafts mounted inspaced relationship to each other on said film support member andadapted for rotation about axes extending generally parallel with theaxes of rotation of said first and second roller members, guide meansfor supporting a length of film extending from a supply reel on one ofsaid spindle shafts onto a takeup reel on the other of said spindleshafts in a plane generally normal to the optical path at saidprojection station,

means slidably mounting said film support member on said housing memberfor selectively positioning said film transparency web in said opticalpath in a direction transverse to the direction of film travel,

3 ,640,6 1 4 7 8 drive means operatively associated with each of saidfirst a second drive shaft operatively connected with said first andsecond spindle shafts on said film support member drive shaft forrotating said first drive shaft in selected for respective engagementwith said first and said second directions of rotation, 1 gear membersand adapted to drive said supply reel and a pair of friction drivemembers operatively supported on said takeup reel in selected directionsof rotation as said said second drive shaft in spaced relation to eachother, support member with the film material thereon is selecanelectrical motor means having a friction drive member tively positionedin rela i n t i p i pat uan connected to the output shaft thereof forrotation in a said third and fourth drive member engaging means each inrdet r i d dir tio f rotation, and

cluding, means for selectively pivoting said motor means between a Pmember Connecied to Said drive Shaft and P j g 1 first and secondpositions to respectively engage said fricradially outwardly I r f m,tion drive member on the output shaft of said motor a Slot formed inSaid drive members for receiving Said P means with the respectivefriction drive members on said member Connected to said Shaft, Said Slotbeing inclined second drive shaft to selectively drive said second driveat an angle from the axis of said shaft to produce a limited h ft iopposite di i f rotation axial displacement of said drive member alongsaid shaft 3 [n a fil i i device apparatus f transpomng an as Said Shaftis rotatedelongated web of film transparency material past a projection2. Apparatus for transporting an elongated web of film stationcomprisingin combination,

p f y matefial P 3 Projection station in film'view' a housing memberassociated with said film-viewing device ing device comprising,

first and second gear members spaced from each other on opposite sidesof said projection station adapted for rotation about axes extendinggenerally transverse to the direction offilm travel,

a drive shaft journaled for rotation about an axis extending and havingoptical projection means adjacent a projection station at which imagesof said film transparency web are projected along an optical path onto aviewing screen, means operatively associated with said housing memberfor illuminating images of said film transparency web at said 2 5projection station, generally Parallel the dlrecnon of fi travel a filmsupport member positioned intermediate said optical first and seconddrive members respectively associated with projection means and Saidillumination means and having fi l? fig gear tm tfi rogatmg Sald gear anopening therein in communication with said projection mem ers a on erespec we axes ereo means and said illumination means,

and fourth f' members i' i first and second gear members spaced fromeach other on of I I wardly of said housing member for rotation aboutaxes lg z g 22:23:: giggg y igg z Second gear extending generallytransverse to the direction of film I travel, said gear members having aperipheral portion of fi ggsg i izz ll 5:55 :22; t 2:3 222 which extendsoutwardly through said housing member.

directions of rotation a drive shaft supported inwardly of said housingmember means respectively associated with said drive shaft and said zgggt i g fig i z gfizg igz g z 3 extending third and fourth drive membersfor engaging Said third first arid sei nd drive members res ectivelassociated with drive member with said first drive member when saidfirst and second ear 8 g for i Said e r shaft is rotated in a firstdirection and for engaging said about the i m th g a fourth drive memberwith said second drive member pee we axes ereo when Said shaftismtatedinasecond direction third and fourth drive members supported onsaid drive a film support member having an opening therein in com- Shaftand .respecuvely engagfiaple wl.th Sald first and Sald munication withSaid projection station second dr ve members fordriving said first gearmember first and second spindle shafts mounted in spaced relationm afirst direction of rotation and Said Second member In ship to each otheron said film support member and ,asecond direct)? ofmtamfi adapted forrotation about axes extending generally drive means operat velyassociated w th said drive shaft for parallel with the axes of rotationof said first and second slectlvely f Shaft m first and Second rollermembers, directions ofrotation, I i I guide means for supporting alength of film extending from means respectively associated with saiddrive shaft and said a Supply reel on one of Said spindle shafts onto atakeup th rd and fourth drive members for engaging said third reel onthe other of said spindle shafts in a plane generally member Yvlthtin-St F member wh en f normal to the optical path at Said projectionStation shaft is rotated in a first ldll'CCIlOll and for engaging saidmeans slidably mounting said film support member on said fourth 'fmfimber f secqnd q member housing member for selectively positioningsaid film when Sam Shaft1 rotated m asecond transparency web in saidoptical path in a direction transfirst a Second spmdle Shaft? mounted mSpaced relanon' verse to the direction offilm nave], ship to each otheron said film support member and drive means operatively associated witheach of said first adapted to respectlvffly recell/e a pp y reel of fi fa and second spindle shafts on said film support member takeup reel ontowhlch film to be Wound, 531d spmdle for respective engagement with saidfirst and said second Shafts being adapted for rotation about axesextending gear members and adapted to drive d Supply reel and generallyparallel with the axes of rotation of said first and said takeup reel inselected directions of rotation as said Second gear members, supportmember with the film material thereon is selecguide roller meansoperatively associated with Said image tively positioned in relation tosaid optical path, and lumination means and said housing member for ppsaid third and fourth drive member engaging means each ing a length offi m t nding from said supply reel onto eluding, said takeup reel in aplane generally normal to the optical a pin member connected to saiddrive shaft and projecting pa between S i im ge illumination means andsaid opradially outwardly therefrom, and tical projection means,

a slot formed in said drive members for receiving said pin meansslidably mounting said film support member on said member connected tosaid shaft, said slot being inclined h ing member for selectivelypositioning said film at an angle from the axis of said shaft to producea limited transparency web in said optical path in a directiontransaxial displacement of said drive member along said shaft verse Ithe direction Offilm travel, as said shaft is rotated, and drive meansoperatively associated with each of said first said drive shaft rotatingmeans including, and said second spindle shafts on said film supportmember for respective engagement with said first and said second gearmembers and adapted to drive said supply reel and said takeup reel inselected directions of rotation as said support member with the filmmaterial thereon is selectively positioned in relation to said opticalpath, and

said third and fourth drive member engaging means each ineluding,

a pin member connected to said drive shaft and projecting radiallyoutwardly therefrom, and

a slot formed in said drive members for receiving said pin memberconnected to said shaft, said slot being inclined at an angle from theaxis of said shaft to produce a limited axial displacement of said drivemember along said shaft as said shaft is rotated 4. Apparatus accordingto claim 3, said drive shaft rotating means including,

a second drive shaft operatively connected with said first drive shaftfor rotating said first drive shaft in selected directions of rotation,

a pair of friction drive members operatively supported on said seconddrive shaft in spaced relation to each other, an electrical motor meanshaving a friction drive member connected to the output shaft thereof forrotation in a predetermined direction of rotation, and

means for selectively pivoting said motor means between first and secondpositions to respectively engage said friction drive member on theoutput shaft of said motor means with the respective friction drivemembers on said second drive shaft to selectively drive said seconddrive shaft in opposite directions of rotation.

1. Apparatus for transporting an elongated web of film trAnsparencymaterial past a projection station in a film-viewing device comprising,first and second gear members spaced from each other on opposite sidesof said projection station adapted for rotation about axes extendinggenerally transverse to the direction of film travel, a drive shaftjournaled for rotation about an axis extending generally parallel to thedirection of film travel, first and second drive members respectivelyassociated with said first and second gear members for rotating saidgear members about the respective axes thereof, third and fourth drivemembers supported on said drive shaft and respectively engageable withsaid first and said second drive members for driving said first gearmember in a first direction of rotation and said second gear member in asecond direction of rotation, drive means operatively associated withsaid drive shaft for selectively rotating said shaft in first and seconddirections of rotation, means respectively associated with said driveshaft and said third and fourth drive members for engaging said thirddrive member with said first drive member when said shaft is rotated ina first direction and for engaging said fourth drive member with saidsecond drive member when said shaft is rotated in a second direction, afilm support member having an opening therein in communication with saidprojection station, first and second spindle shafts mounted in spacedrelationship to each other on said film support member and adapted forrotation about axes extending generally parallel with the axes ofrotation of said first and second roller members, guide means forsupporting a length of film extending from a supply reel on one of saidspindle shafts onto a takeup reel on the other of said spindle shafts ina plane generally normal to the optical path at said projection station,means slidably mounting said film support member on said housing memberfor selectively positioning said film transparency web in said opticalpath in a direction transverse to the direction of film travel, drivemeans operatively associated with each of said first and second spindleshafts on said film support member for respective engagement with saidfirst and said second gear members and adapted to drive said supply reeland said takeup reel in selected directions of rotation as said supportmember with the film material thereon is selectively positioned inrelation to said optical path, and said third and fourth drive memberengaging means each including, a pin member connected to said driveshaft and projecting radially outwardly therefrom, and a slot formed insaid drive members for receiving said pin member connected to saidshaft, said slot being inclined at an angle from the axis of said shaftto produce a limited axial displacement of said drive member along saidshaft as said shaft is rotated.
 2. Apparatus for transporting anelongated web of film transparency material past a projection station ina film-viewing device comprising, first and second gear members spacedfrom each other on opposite sides of said projection station adapted forrotation about axes extending generally transverse to the direction offilm travel, a drive shaft journaled for rotation about an axisextending generally parallel to the direction of film travel, first andsecond drive members respectively associated with said first and secondgear members for rotating said gear members about the respective axesthereof, third and fourth drive members supported on said drive shaftand respectively engageable with said first and said second drivemembers for driving said first gear member in a first direction ofrotation and said second gear member in a second direction of rotation,drive means operatively associated with said drive shaft for selectivelyrotating said shaft in first and second directions of rotation, meansrespectively associated with said drive shaft and said third and fourthdrive members for engaging said third drive member with said first drivemember when said shaft is rotated in a first direction and for engagingsaid fourth drive member with said second drive member when said shaftis rotated in a second direction, a film support member having anopening therein in communication with said projection station, first andsecond spindle shafts mounted in spaced relationship to each other onsaid film support member and adapted for rotation about axes extendinggenerally parallel with the axes of rotation of said first and secondroller members, guide means for supporting a length of film extendingfrom a supply reel on one of said spindle shafts onto a takeup reel onthe other of said spindle shafts in a plane generally normal to theoptical path at said projection station, means slidably mounting saidfilm support member on said housing member for selectively positioningsaid film transparency web in said optical path in a directiontransverse to the direction of film travel, drive means operativelyassociated with each of said first and second spindle shafts on saidfilm support member for respective engagement with said first and saidsecond gear members and adapted to drive said supply reel and saidtakeup reel in selected directions of rotation as said support memberwith the film material thereon is selectively positioned in relation tosaid optical path, and said third and fourth drive member engaging meanseach including, a pin member connected to said drive shaft andprojecting radially outwardly therefrom, and a slot formed in said drivemembers for receiving said pin member connected to said shaft, said slotbeing inclined at an angle from the axis of said shaft to produce alimited axial displacement of said drive member along said shaft as saidshaft is rotated, and said drive shaft rotating means including, asecond drive shaft operatively connected with said first drive shaft forrotating said first drive shaft in selected directions of rotation, apair of friction drive members operatively supported on said seconddrive shaft in spaced relation to each other, an electrical motor meanshaving a friction drive member connected to the output shaft thereof forrotation in a predetermined direction of rotation, and means forselectively pivoting said motor means between first and second positionsto respectively engage said friction drive member on the output shaft ofsaid motor means with the respective friction drive members on saidsecond drive shaft to selectively drive said second drive shaft inopposite directions of rotation.
 3. In a film-viewing device, apparatusfor transporting an elongated web of film transparency material past aprojection station comprising in combination, a housing memberassociated with said film-viewing device and having optical projectionmeans adjacent a projection station at which images of said filmtransparency web are projected along an optical path onto a viewingscreen, means operatively associated with said housing member forilluminating images of said film transparency web at said projectionstation, a film support member positioned intermediate said opticalprojection means and said illumination means and having an openingtherein in communication with said projection means and saidillumination means, first and second gear members spaced from each otheron opposite sides of said projection station and supported inwardly ofsaid housing member for rotation about axes extending generallytransverse to the direction of film travel, said gear members having aperipheral portion of which extends outwardly through said housingmember, a drive shaft supported inwardly of said housing member andjournaled for rotation about an axis extending generally parallel to thedirection of film travel, first and second drive members respectivelyassociated with said first and second gear members fOr rotating saidgear members about the respective axes thereof, third and fourth drivemembers supported on said drive shaft and respectively engageable withsaid first and said second drive members for driving said first gearmember in a first direction of rotation and said second member in asecond direction of rotation, drive means operatively associated withsaid drive shaft for selectively rotating said shaft in first and seconddirections of rotation, means respectively associated with said driveshaft and said third and fourth drive members for engaging said thirddrive member with said first drive member when said shaft is rotated ina first direction and for engaging said fourth drive member with saidsecond drive member when said shaft is rotated in a second direction,first and second spindle shafts mounted in spaced relationship to eachother on said film support member and adapted to respectively receive asupply reel of film and a takeup reel onto which film is to be wound,said spindle shafts being adapted for rotation about axes extendinggenerally parallel with the axes of rotation of said first and secondgear members, guide roller means operatively associated with said imageillumination means and said housing member for supporting a length offilm extending from said supply reel onto said takeup reel in a planegenerally normal to the optical path between said image illuminationmeans and said optical projection means, means slidably mounting saidfilm support member on said housing member for selectively positioningsaid film transparency web in said optical path in a directiontransverse to the direction of film travel, drive means operativelyassociated with each of said first and said second spindle shafts onsaid film support member for respective engagement with said first andsaid second gear members and adapted to drive said supply reel and saidtakeup reel in selected directions of rotation as said support memberwith the film material thereon is selectively positioned in relation tosaid optical path, and said third and fourth drive member engaging meanseach including, a pin member connected to said drive shaft andprojecting radially outwardly therefrom, and a slot formed in said drivemembers for receiving said pin member connected to said shaft, said slotbeing inclined at an angle from the axis of said shaft to produce alimited axial displacement of said drive member along said shaft as saidshaft is rotated.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, said drive shaftrotating means including, a second drive shaft operatively connectedwith said first drive shaft for rotating said first drive shaft inselected directions of rotation, a pair of friction drive membersoperatively supported on said second drive shaft in spaced relation toeach other, an electrical motor means having a friction drive memberconnected to the output shaft thereof for rotation in a predetermineddirection of rotation, and means for selectively pivoting said motormeans between first and second positions to respectively engage saidfriction drive member on the output shaft of said motor means with therespective friction drive members on said second drive shaft toselectively drive said second drive shaft in opposite directions ofrotation.